Neal Schon's perpetual quest for a heavy metal posse ends with
Hardline. Freed from the corporate confines of
Journey and
Bad English, Schon unleashes pent-up guitar firepower. The best tunes on
Hardline's solitary offering do shake, rattle, and rock. Three of these scorchers found FM radio: "Hot Cherie," "Rhythm From a Rad Car," and "Takin' Me Down." The ballads are retched, naturally. Sissy rock seems to be a big part of Schon's bag as he stays with
Journey. At the time of
Double Eclipse, principled rocking out was even more important as alternative closed in, so
Hardline never really had a chance. Nice to hear Schon work it, though. ~ Doug Stone